McShane cast as Mr Wednesday in Gaiman’s American Gods

“Yesterday was Super Tuesday. Today is Wonderful Wednesday,” was Neil Gaiman’s reaction to the casting of Lovejoy and Deadwood star Ian McShane as Mr Wednesday in Starz’s adaptation of American Gods, showrun by Bryan Fuller and Michael Green.

“Actor. Icon. And now god,” the pair said in a statement. “It is a goddamn delight to be collaborating with the incomparable Ian McShane — again and for the first time — on a story about faith and belief, with the utmost faith and belief in Mr. McShane as our Mr. Wednesday. A wonderful Wednesday indeed.”

“When you write a beloved character (beloved with, or despite, or because of all his faults) like Mr. Wednesday, you get to watch the internet trying to cast the role,” Neil Gaiman pointed out. “I’ve seen a hundred names suggested, but few make me grin like Ian McShane does. I’ve already been lucky enough to have him in one film (he was bright blue in it, animated, and probably Polish). Now I count myself even luckier: he’s made the journey from Lovejoy to American Gods.”